Food

National French Fry Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

The 13th of July is National French Fry Day, a wonderful time to indulge in some golden-brown potato slices. However, did you realise that the origin of French fries is probably not French? Before the French, potatoes were fried in Belgium, but more on that later. Regarding the world’s finest French fries, everyone appears to have an opinion. Due to the fact that no two restaurants appear to use the same formula, choosing a favourite is a time-consuming task. French fries have a nutritional stigma, however, due to their high caloric and lipid content. It is difficult to refuse a hot batch, even if they are at the bottom of the container.

The background of National French Fry Day

Annually, each American consumes approximately 30 pounds of French fries, according to estimates. That seems like a lot, but when you consider all the different ways you can eat fries, it rapidly adds up. Whether they come from a fast-food French-fry container or you’re an expert at making fries at home, they’re simple to consume. With the addition of all the condiments, these basic potatoes become even more popular.

The term ‘French fries’ alludes to fried potato slices or strips. Although its precise origins are obscure, the dish first appeared in the late 1700s. Arriving in Europe in the 1600s, it took an entire century for potatoes to become broadly accepted as food.

Like most iconic dishes, the origin of the French fry is a fascinating folk tale. Belgians lay claim to the origination of French fries, asserting that they were created by their nation. According to a manuscript by Joseph Gerard, residents of the Meuse Valley near Dinant in Belgium devoured a great deal of fish due to their proximity to the river. During the winter, when the rivers froze and fishing became problematic, the concept of slicing potatoes to resemble fish fillets and frying them in hot fat was conceived.

In the mid-1700s, however, it was the French who popularised frying dishes and sold them publicly from carts called “frites.” In the end, potatoes were carved into various shapes and fried. As to how French fries arrived in the United States, there are also two competing accounts. Popular belief holds that Thomas Jefferson introduced the dish to the United States. During his tenure as an ambassador, Jefferson spent a great deal of time in France. In 1802, he served “potatoes prepared in the French manner” at a White House dinner.

The alternative hypothesis is that World War I soldiers stationed near Dinant, Belgium, fell in love with the local snack known as “french fries” and brought the idea home. This is when French fries took off and became popular in the United States.

NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY ACTIVITIES

Experiment with a novel condiment.

Although Americans typically eat French fries with ketchup, contemplate trying a condiment from another culture on National French Fry Day. People in the United Kingdom consume fries with malt and vinegar. In Vietnam, you would put melted butter and sugar on your potatoes. Who can say? Perhaps you’ll discover a new favourite.

Try a different condiment with your potatoes.

Most people simply salt their French fries before cooking them. But French potatoes can be seasoned with a variety of spices, giving them a distinct flavour. For example, some individuals enjoy using Cajun seasoning with french fries. Find the perfect seasoning, and as sacrilegious as it may sound, you may decide to forego dipping them in ketchup.

Consider preparing potatoes at home.

You can use National French Fry Day as a pretext to attempt to make fries at home, even though it will be difficult to beat the fries at your favourite restaurant. This can be a messy process, particularly the frying step, but it allows you to experiment with various variations and seasonings. Even if you fail, you will have a much deeper appreciation for the fry cook at your favourite local eatery.

5 DELECTABLE FACTS ABOUT FRENCH FRIES

In the United States, French fries were originally known as “French fried potatoes”; however, by the 1930s, the word “potatoes” was deleted.

Potato skins contain vital nutrients and vitamins that are sometimes left on when preparing French fries.

Steak fries contain less cholesterol than traditional French fries.

The origin of the colloquial term for potato,’spud,’ is the spade-like implement used to harvest potatoes.

To expend off the calories from a medium order of French fries from McDonald’s, one must bowl for 90 minutes, bicycle for 58 minutes, or engage in high-impact aerobics for 50 minutes.